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B»|jf t M Chicagoland I By Teddy Cox Chicagoan Handicap Eligibles Dodge Issue * Cancels Racetracker-Charlies Song Clash Owners and Trainers Looking to Next Week SPORTSMANS PARK. Cicero, 111., May 1.— Racing secretary and handicapper John Daniel, who often is referred to as "Gentleman John," hardly was the per sonification of graciousness this morning when owners and trainers with the better horses on the grounds proved conspicuous by their absence as he attempted to lure a representative field for the 0,000 Chicagoan Handicap. A. pair of veritable blockbusters, Mrs. E m i 1 Denemarks Race-tracker and Florida Shores Stables Charlies Song were pegged with leveling imposts for the spin, but the others, for the most part, werent having any, and finally the programmed feature was tossed into discard because of lack of sufficient competition. Daniel, however, finally came through with a well-balanced and attractive card, once the Kentucky Derby gets out of the way, needed help will be forthcoming from Louisville, and there are many formidable outfits scheduled to see action before this meeting ends. A meeting between Racetracker and the heralded . Charlies Song may develop next week end in the 5,000 Thomas D. Nash Memorial Handicap, at 1 1-16 miles. Among those disappointed by failure of the race to fill was Emil Denemark, who isnt at all convinced that Charlies Song can handle Racetracker. Denemark, in person, is supervising most of the training of his stable these days, even though Solon Rhodes is down on the program. Rhodes is better than a green hand himself. He has served as the Denemark pinch-hitting trainer at various times for his employer. Denemark has not been in good health of late and has curtailed much of his activity in his flourishing automobile and radio station operations, while taking advantage of the sunshine it was delightful here this morning and fresh air that goes with spending much time along the shedrows. Extensive Breeding Operation Last season Racetracker was responsible for carrying much of the financial burden of the Big Denemark Stable, and it seems that once again he will be required to carry the ball, which he has done up to now with notable success. Denemarks expansive operations finds him associated with Leslie Combs II. as the owner of stallions and broodmares in Kentucky. He is one of the prominent figures in the current Illinois breeding industry and has studs and broodmares at his Denemark Stock Farm, at nearby Hinsdale. His stable here numbers about 40 head. Denemark is also extremely active in the affairs of Horsemens Benevolent and Protective Association and the Illinois Thoroughbred Breeders Association. Backstretch scuttlebutt had it that Buddy Lepman, the trainer of Charlies Song, was willing to post a wad of his own personal wampum on his charge against Racetracker at any distance and under any conditions. These observations picked up superlatives as they wafted around the shedrows, and this was probably the reason that only two others were willing to entry against Racetracker and Charlies Song. Charlies Song is fresh from a series of splendid races in Florida. Lepman is a young man from Chicago who at one time aspired for the managerial end of racing. He is a nephew of Benjamin F. Lindheimer. He gained a foothold as a potential trainer as a jockeys agent and handled numerous successful riders before he earned a, chance to operate his own stable. During the last two years, Lepman has made spectacular progress and presently his patrons include the aforementioned Florida Shores Stable, Jack Lindheimer, also a nephew of Benjamin F. Lindheimer; Shirley Feld-man, and Harry Pikal. , Six Victories This Year Charlies Song has started six times and has never been worse than third while winning six races this year. He was a good winner against the best sprinters at Gulfstream, his most recent start, and prior to that finished second to Tudor Era. Charlies Song also spun a natty five-eighths in :59 at Gulfstream before being shipped to Chicago. Hes a game, hard-trying horse," says Lepman. "A couple of starts ago in a race at Gulfstream Park, he struck the gate when it opened and two teeth were knocked from his mouth. Ordinarily that would have been enough to stop almost any horse, but he gathered himself after being practically left at the post, then closed with a rush and finished second to Fabius. Hes a horse who can run on the pace, or he can come from behind." Mrs. Ethel Haffa, Illinois turf patron who has a formidable stable quartered here, departed with a group of friends for the Kentucky Derby. Included in the group were Mr. and Mrs. James Archambault. Mrs Haffa says her husband, Titus, may join her at the last minute if he is able to get away from important business conferences. Archambault is president of the Dormeyer Corporation, while Mrs. Haffas husband is president of Webcor. She is an ardent handicapper and of late a breeding pundH, embarking from here equipped with all sorts of Derby information, but her prediction is Our Dad as th« winner.
